It's not exactly a rivalry, though. Sure, this will be the Patriots and Colts third playoff rendezvous in the last four years, with the Patriots winning the first two. Tom Brady has three Super Bowl rings, whereas Peyton Manning has... well... a loving family.
But if you've just about had it with the quarterbacks, bear in mind that 20 other players will start the game on offense. And among the crucial matchups in the game, Brady vs. Manning is nonexistent, seeing as how they'll never be on the field at the same time.
But the game's still hungrier than Michael Strahan's ex-wife's bank account, so how about we focus on actual matchups:
• New England RB Corey Dillon vs. Indianapolis LB Cato June: Dillon shredded the Colts for 144 yards in their 20-3 playoff win over the Colts in 2005. He also found the end-zone twice in the Colts' win at New England this year, a game known by Indianapolites as The Tiny Shred Of Evidence To Which We Cling That Shows The Colts Could Beat The Patriots. For the men in blue and horseshoes, June is the Colts' leading tackler in the regular season and playoffs.
• New England LT Matt Light vs. Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney: Light was instrumental as a layer of protection from identity theft Shawne Merriman in the Chargers game. Preventing Merriman from his sack dance also enabled Light's teammates to perform said dance at the 50-yard line. (Maybe they learned that dance from their head coach.) But if Light cannot repeat his performance against the Chargers and contain Freeney, he may need to seek the assistance of guard Zero Liability Logan Mankins.
• Indianapolis WR Marvin Harrison vs. New England CB Asante Samuel: I have absolutely no idea how a wide receiver can torch so many secondaries and not have any sort of pretentious nickname, signature sound bite or even a touchdown dance. "M.H." never fired his publicist or pulled a phone out of a goalpost. If he is a prick, he's damn good at hiding it. In the meantime, there has to be no more respected wideout than Harrison. However, Samuel best not respect No. 88, but rather cover him like laminitis on Barbaro's hoof.
Article comments
1 - alessandro nicolo
So true about Harrison. Indy will win. You know what they should do to discourage showboating or excessive choreographed celebrations: release sick lions onto the field.
2 - Q Bit
No, Dear Editor--I am not sick of Brady and Manning. Actually I am glad they get to meet one more time, to prove the obvious.
And good read, as always! (except of course, your fetish for ex-wives)
3 - RJ Elliott
If Manning has more INTs than TDs, expect tears on the sidelines...